Towel rack



Nov. 6, l945. J. A. PETERSON ETAL TOWEL BACK Filed May 24, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet I n ven to r %w w a %E IM 2% m m m Nov. 6, 1945.

.. `A. PETERSONV E'T AL TOWEL BACK Filed May 24, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invntr Jam/4. Peersow James 2575771166 i Attmeys Patented Nov. 6, 1945 TOWEL BACK John A. Peterson and JamesE. Bruce, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 24, 1344, Serial No. 537,!)84

1` Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in towel racks, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a bath room xture of this character comprising unique means for supporting wash cloths, small articles of apparel, et cetera, to be dried;

Other objects of the invention are to provide a combination bath room xture of the character described which will be comparatively simple in Construction, strong, durable, highly efiicient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

'All of the foregoing, and still further objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from a study of the following specication, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a' xture constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the pivoted arms in open position.

Figu'e 2 is a top plan View of the device, showing the pivoted arms in closed position.

Figure 3 is a View in front elevation of the device.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view in front elevation of an intermediate portion of the device.

Figure 5 is a top plan View of the portion of' the device shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an end View of the rod.

Figura 7 is a view in horizontal section through one end portion of the device.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a rod I of Wood or other suitable material, which rod may be of any desired length and diameter. The rod l is mounted between a pair of brackets 2, which, in the installation shown, includes base members 3 having openings therein which accommodate screws 4 for securing said brackets in position on a wall structure or other support 5.

The brackets 2 further include substantially spherical, integral heads E having sockets 1 therein for the reception of the end portions of the rod I. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 7 of the drawings, the end portions of the rod l are formed to provide substantially segmental tongues or keys 8 which are engaged in correspondinglyshaped recesses 9 in the inner end walls of the sockets 'l for positively securing said rod I against rotation on the brackets 2.

Formed longitudinally in the front of the rod l is a groove or channel ll) which terminates adjacent the brackets 2. Vertical pins ll traverse the end portions of the groove ID. Horizontally swinging arms l2 have one end portion journaled on the pins H. It will be observed that a pair of the arms z is provided on each pin ll. The arms |2 are adapted, when not in use, to be swung into the groove o, in which position the outer edges of said arms are substantially fiush with the periphery of the rod l. Finger receiving notches or recesses !3 are provided in the front of the rod l and communicate with the groove in for exposing the end portions of the arms |2 to facilitate swinging said arms outwardly for use.

The groove o comprises relatively deep end portions |4 which accommodate the eyes !5 on the pivoted end portions of the arms l2. The eyes i 5 are formed to provide stops !6 for abutting engagement with the bottom of the portions !4 of the groove o. Also, the end walls of the groove I!! are formed to provide stops ll for the arms z, as best seen in Figure 1 of the drawings.

It is thought that the manner in which the device is used will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, with the swinging arms I 2 in folded or inoperative position in the groove o, the rod I may be used in the usual manner as a towel rack. When it is desired to mount small articles of apparel, wash cloths, et cetera, on the xture, the exposed end portions of the folded arms l2 are gripped in the notches or recesses I3 and said arms are swung outwardly to any desired angle relative to the rod l (see Fig. 1). In the construction shown, the stops IS and ll prevent the arms |2 from being swung outwardly beyond a position at right angles to the rod I. Of course, with the swnging arms l2 in open or operative position, the rod l may continue to be used as a towel rack.

It is believed that the many advantages of a combination xture constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be reorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed What is claimed is:

A xture of the character described comprising, in combination, a pair of brackets mounted on a support, said bra'ckets including substantially spherical heads having opposed sockets therein, the inner end walls of the sockets having substantially segmentai recesses therein, a cylndrical rod having end portions engaged in the sockets, substantially segmental keys projecting longitudinally from the ends of the rod and enga'ged in the recesses for retaining said rod against rotation in the sockets, said rod having a longitudinal groove extendng horizontally therein from surfaces of said arms being arcuate and of a radius of curvature equal to the radius of said rod, Whereby When positioned in said groove a substantially cylindrical unit is formed, and means forming a recess at an ,intermediate point in said bar to provide a finger grip for extending said rods.

JOHN A. PETERSON. JAMES E. BRUCE. 

